Potential Griso ownership revisited

[ohiorider]

In September of 2015, I sold my 2012 Griso 8vSE, probably the most beautiful motorcycle I’d owned or will ever own.  Tenni Green with brown saddle and blacked out engine and wheels.  Cosmetically, it was perfect.  Engine and power train wise, very nice.  Brakes, very good.

Suspension, not so good.  For our roads, rather bad, actually.  So rather than enter the world of suspension voodoo (fork oil weight, valve packs, spring weight, on and on,) I sold the bike.  I wasn’t in the mood to throw money at the suspension, only to find I was like a lab technician, documenting results, but not finding the solution to a compliant ride.  Plus, there was the rollerization issue I'd be facing.  And I still had and have a very enjoyable Guzzi experience with my 2v 1200 Sport, and its compliant suspension.

However, the concept of owning a Griso with sport touring suspension qualities, vs track day suspension, is intriguing.  I would love to own a Griso that didn’t beat the bejeezus out of me on our mediocre roads, no matter where I set the suspension.  But I’d like to achieve this without lots of experimentation with springs, valve packs, and fork fluid levels and weights.

I’d think by now there must be a set of specs that would allow one to define the type ride desired, along with a few other parameters (type of riding, rider weight, etc) that would return specific part numbers for the pieces and parts required to achieve a compliant, sport/tourer type of ride.

It could be that the Griso chassis, with its shorter fork and shock travel compared to my 1200 Sport, just can’t be brought to this level of comfort.

That’s unfortunate, because there are several very low mileage roller Grisos up for sale at the moment at rather attractive prices.  But when I add the cost of Matris shock and front end work, not knowing where I’d end up, I’m very reluctant to take the plunge.

But if it’s possible without a lot of experimentation and throwing $1500-2000 at the bike, I’d like to know.

Anyone have some hard data on what it takes to make the Griso, with 160# rider aboard, ride like a plush sport tourer instead of a track day bike?

Bob

[rboe]

I spent $35 with a local expert that set my Griso up for touring. Huge difference! I suspect a Matriss shock would be even better but I ain't spending that sort of money on it. The bike is good enough and I'll avoid riding a better set up bike so I don't change that opinion. 

Now you may already have the skill set to adjust your suspension to where you want it - I do not. Still don't. If your skill set is similar to mine then a few dollars tossed to a tuner is well spent. If it proves to be still short of the mark then you are not out much.

If the bike moved you that much a strong argument can be made to get one at the right price then toss some bucks at the rear shock - if that is indeed something that appears you may need to do.

Good luck!

[Moto]

I would say the prospects look dim.

If we take www.motorcyclespecs .co.za at their word, your Sport and the Griso both have 120mm of front suspension travel, but it's 140mm Sport vs 110mm Griso for the rear:

http://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/model/moto%20guzzi/moto_guzzi_1200_sport%2011.htm

http://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/model/moto%20guzzi/moto_guzzi_griso_1200%208v%2008.htm

That's a 27% advantage in rear wheel travel for the Sport, and I expect it would be well nigh impossible to get a Sport-cushy ride out of a Griso in that circumstance, considering that the dimensions and weights aren't too dissimilar.

Moto

[beetle]

Better ride through aggressive spending. It's your only option.

At a minimum, revalve the forks and install better springs. Stelvio shock on the rear. 170mm of travel, plus it'll sharpen up the steering.

[jlburgess]

Err, I have an '09 I bought new and dialed it in with the adjusters and notes over 5 years ago.  I've owned many race bikes and won a supermoto championship.  Not sure what your problem could be other than bad setup.  I've never even changed the fork oil.  It had way too much front spring preload.  After I set the sag it was just fine tuning.    It is in no way set up for racing, rather compliance over pothole strewn secondary roads.
I think I've owned the Griso longer than any other bike out of 30.

[pete roper]

Bob? I thought the idea was to downsize?

That aside I still can't understand why you sold your much loved 2V? While there might be, (But I doubt it.) issues with slotting the 8V motive unit in all the sensors and ECU are essentially the same, you'd of needed to swap to single discharge coils and flung a new map at it. You'd then have the 8V freight train with the comfort of your Sport.

FWIW I'm hoping to do a 'Round Oz' trip next year with my mate Peter from Townsville. Now I'm more than happy to do it on the Griso but Peter has a Sport, (Rollerised of course!) which has a tank about 9 litres bigger. It's also 'Plush'! My Griso is pretty damn good at keeping my ageing carcass comfortable but I am not your usual 'Spend money making a few more HP so I can brag in the pub!' person and never stint on suspension, hence the custom Ohlins that are going on when I have a chance, BUT..... I actually think that for this sort of trip a 'Sport' would be a far better beast! So I'm looking for one! There are a few on the bike ad websites but most of them are absurdly priced and none of them have been rollerised but I may have a good lead on one I could trade the little V7 'Racer' on. If that comes to fruition it's 'Game On'!

Given that Guzzi are no longer building bikes I have any empathy with, my body is giving me shit and I think that the new importer and I might be, err?? 'Antisympatico'!  I think I'm about to go freelance again and spend my last couple of years archiving knowledge on the CARC bikes which seem to, at this moment, be the acme of Guzzi development. Retiring early and doing a round Oz on a luxo-barge that at least pretends to handle like a Sport would seem to be a great way to 'Bow Out'.

Pete

[ohiorider]

Thanks to all for the information re my question about the 8vSE suspension.

Rboe - I did in fact have a local who understood suspension setup.  Having said that, we didn't revalve or respring.  Simply tried to do the best we could with the stock components and making preload and valving adjustments.

Moto - based on the stats, it may be difficult to even come close to the plush ride of the 1200 Sport with stock components.  I was hoping someone had experience (with good results) making relatively inexpensive valve pack changes and spring changes to the forks, and possibly doing the same for the stock Sachs rear shock.

Beetle - is there a specific valve pack part number I should consider for the forks?  Maybe a stock Showa item?  I bet the Griso would steer quickly with the additional height of the Stelvio shock.

JL - we went for a soft setup when the suspension guy and I set sag, preload, and valve adjustments.  It was considerably better, but not close to what I wanted for some of our frost heaved secondary roads.

Pete- I haven't owned/ridden a Griso since Sept of 2015, but though nearly as heavy as the 1200 Sport, overall, it felt lower and seemed to carry its mass lower.  Also a bit closer to the ground from the saddle.  It was always easier for me to manage in slow speed maneuvers and moving in and out of the garage.  If Guzzi had continued selling the Sport, and had included the 8v version for USA sales, that's what I'd have been riding the past several years.

Would you even consider purchasing a 2v Sport for your 'Round Oz' trip.  With Mana bars, Corbin saddle, HB 30 liter Juniors, and HB rear rack, and Bagster tank cover and bag, the 2v made a very capable sport tourer.  Also adjustable foot pegs that put mine lower and slightly forward.  Not suggesting mine, but an Oz-based Sport for sale.

BTW - I haven't received a single bite from anyone on WG expressing any interest in buying the bike.  I imagine the higher mileage (64,000 miles) may be a put off for most, along with knowledge of potential dashboard failures.  So, if I find that my health and strength continues to improve over winter, with cardiac rehab and subsequent exercise, I may decide to pull the ad, do some refurbishing (meaning new rear shock at the most) and ride off into the sunset on my 'ancient' but capable 2v CARC-based machine.

In the meantime, if she sells, I'll most likely take the $$ plus the fund set aside from the Griso sale, and be off to Northern Ohio Triumph Ducati for a new Bonnie T120. I've spent a short amount of saddle time on my riding buddy's T120, and think it's a machine that'll require little or no suspension work.  Power-wise, the 1200 vertical twin has more than enough giddy-yap, controls including clutch are light.  In addition, it is quite a pleasant motorcycle.

[nobleswood]

Bob,

Thanks to your encouragement I bought the 2013 8v SE I was asking you about.

Setting up the suspension is one of the first things I'll be working on. So come the Spring we should put our heads together & see what we can figure out.

[ohiorider]

Bob,

Thanks to your encouragement I bought the 2013 8v SE I was asking you about.

Setting up the suspension is one of the first things I'll be working on. So come the Spring we should put our heads together & see what we can figure out.

Congratulations!  An unusual, beautiful machine.  Chances are I won't own another Griso ('who knows?) but I'd be happy to provide you with any documentation I've accumulated over the time I owned my Griso.

Bob

[jas67]

...
Given that Guzzi are no longer building bikes I have any empathy with, my body is giving me shit and I think that the new importer and I might be, err?? 'Antisympatico'!  I think I'm about to go freelance again and spend my last couple of years archiving knowledge on the CARC bikes which seem to, at this moment, be the acme of Guzzi development. Retiring early and doing a round Oz on a luxo-barge that at least pretends to handle like a Sport would seem to be a great way to 'Bow Out'.

Pete

Maybe as a retirement project, you could write a book about the CARC bikes, and call it "CARCology", and use the proceeds to buy an occasional pint at your favorite pub!

[beetle]

Beetle - is there a specific valve pack part number I should consider for the forks?  Maybe a stock Showa item?  I bet the Griso would steer quickly with the additional height of the Stelvio shock.

Not that I'm aware of. Showa forks are used by many OEM's, so any decent suspension guy should be able to re-valve a set. The Griso's are over damped and under sprung. I'm 214 pounds, and the stock forks would try to pound my teeth out, despite careful adjustment. I went for the Matris cartridges. I could have saved bulk $ if I'd just had them re-valved, but I'm not sorry I spent the extra.

I have a Matris shock as well. The Griso version has a measly 7mm of adjustment, but even that extra 7mm made a noticeable improvement to the steering.

[pete roper]

Griso definitely carries its weight 'Lower' and is easier to move around. Sport side stand is also shitty making the bike lean over too far. Not fun on slippery surfaces.

Really Bob, suspension changes are easy and cheap. Go on...come back to the dark side!

Pete

[ohiorider]

Griso definitely carries its weight 'Lower' and is easier to move around. Sport side stand is also shitty making the bike lean over too far. Not fun on slippery surfaces.

Really Bob, suspension changes are easy and cheap. Go on...come back to the dark side!

Pete

Don't encourage me, Pete!  I'm susceptible.  And you're absolutely right about the Sport side stand, at least the USA style.  Question of the week ..... does anyone know why Guzzi designed a different side stand for USA bikes vs the rest of the world bikes?

[ohiorider]

Maybe as a retirement project, you could write a book about the CARC bikes, and call it "CARCology", and use the proceeds to buy an occasional pint at your favorite pub!

If Guzzi decides not to reintroduce a lineup of CARC bikes, someone needs to document this series of Guzzis.  I've always thought Guzzi was chasing BMW, but instead, may have passed them up re frame design, and CARC vs Paralever.  I personally think the CARC bikes were brilliant.

Bob

[cwiseman]

For anyone seriously wanting a new Griso I'm your guy, I need to move two off my showroom floor and will give you a deal that you can't pass up.

[ohiorider]

For anyone seriously wanting a new Griso I'm your guy, I need to move two off my showroom floor and will give you a deal that you can't pass up.

Drop me a note (PM) and let me see how serious you are about moving a new Griso off your showroom floor.

[pete roper]

Bob? How much do you weigh?

(Go on, I won't tell anyone. Promise. XXXX)

Pete

[ohiorider]

Bob? How much do you weigh?

(Go on, I won't tell anyone. Promise. XXXX)

Pete

Pete, this isn't stones, it's in pounds ..... approx. 155 - 160 pounds.

[pete roper]

72.5Kg! What did they cut out of you? At that weight you should be able to just go with less and lighter oil in the forks, plug and play. The rear? Slightly heavier spring and/ or a stock Stelvio shock and some playing and you should be good. Not as good as going AM on the rear but you should be able to get compliant you weedy little shrimp!

Pete

[rocker59]

Corvettes and Coupe de Villes.

Horses for courses.

Etc, etc...

Don't buy a Corvette if it's a Coupe de Ville you seek.

[beetle]

approx. 155 - 160 pounds.

Lightweight!

Signed,
Lard-arse

[rboe]

I'm in a similar weight bracket - must be the Russell Day Long that helps me. 

[pete roper]

I'm in a similar weight bracket - must be the Russell Day Long that helps me. 

no, you're just weird! 

[steffen]

Ok, help me out here, please.
I'm the happy owner of a 2010 Griso (with rollers now).
I've been considering a new spring for the rear of mine. It's a little harsh.

I didn't know, a Stelvio spring was possible to fit. Does it put extra stress on the shaftdrive? Or is it not to worry about that?

I do most of my riding one up, now and then I take my kids with me, but the bike will be set up for me.
I'm 80 kg plus riding gear.

I would love the 170 mm travel of the stelvio spring, but I'm only gonna do this once (I hope), so which one is better, the Stelvio or the Matris?
Or should I get the Matris Stelvio spring?

Is the stelvio-spring as adjustable as the original spring?

Thanks in advance.

[Dilliw]

Ok, help me out here, please.
I'm the happy owner of a 2010 Griso (with rollers now).
I've been considering a new spring for the rear of mine. It's a little harsh.

I didn't know, a Stelvio spring was possible to fit. Does it put extra stress on the shaftdrive? Or is it not to worry about that?

I do most of my riding one up, now and then I take my kids with me, but the bike will be set up for me.
I'm 80 kg plus riding gear.

I would love the 170 mm travel of the stelvio spring, but I'm only gonna do this once (I hope), so which one is better, the Stelvio or the Matris?
Or should I get the Matris Stelvio spring?

Is the stelvio-spring as adjustable as the original spring?

Thanks in advance.

Uzidzit on the Ghetto has done a lot of research on the Griso suspension so I would get his thoughts.  I believe he has used the Stelvio spring on a Griso shock body and said that spring was about 625lbs.  Others have dropped in the complete stock Stelvio shock and I believe an aftermarket Stelvio shock too.  It is said to fit but raises the rear some over the Griso unit.

My plan is to take my bike to Traxxion and let them do new springs and re-valve for both the front and rear.  From what I can tell that will be cheaper than just an aftermarket rear shock and Uzidzit said they got his rear Sachs close to great.  Close is good enough for me!

[rocker59]

Griso shocks are used to lower Stelvios.

A Stelvio shock will raise a Griso.

They're interchangeable...  The drivelines on the two bikes are the same and won't care which shock is used.

[jas67]

Corvettes and Coupe de Villes.

Horses for courses.

Etc, etc...

Don't buy a Corvette if it's a Coupe de Ville you seek.

So, why is it that every Corvette I get behind is being drive like a Coupe de Ville?

[rocker59]

So, why is it that every Corvette I get behind is being drive like a Coupe de Ville?

Lots of mixed up old d00ds out there, me thinks...

[nobleswood]

My plan is to take my bike to Traxxion and let them do new springs and re-valve for both the front and rear.  From what I can tell that will be cheaper than just an aftermarket rear shock and Uzidzit said they got his rear Sachs close to great.  Close is good enough for me!

Dilliw, I'll be interested to hear how you get on.

[not-fishing]

Corvettes and Coupe de Villes.

Horses for courses.

Etc, etc...

Don't buy a Corvette if it's a Coupe de Ville you seek.

And then there's the CTS-V...............
A Caddy that's easy to get into and out of with the heart of a Corvette.